ballet blog with occasional diversions

New ABT Nutcracker by Ratmansky
at BAM beginning in 2010

The New York Times reports
that ABT will announce tomorrow that it will establish a Nutcracker franchise at the Brooklyn Academy of Music
beginning in 2010.  The new choreography will be by Alexei Ratmansky and will be
in residence at BAM for at least five years – starting with a two week run and
increasing to four weeks! 

Costumes and sets will be by The Lion King
collaborator Richard HudsonJennifer Tipton will design the
lighting.
  David Koch will put up the initial $2.5 million –
50% of the initial costs of creation and rehearsals.

Thank you, Mr. Koch.

This will not only be a tremendous boost for ABT,
but it will be a huge shot in the arm for Brooklyn.  Assuming that NYC can
finish with the street construction around BAM by next year, a major residency
like this will truly help to transform and enhance the neighborhood. 

An ABT
Nutcracker was on Haglund's Wish List, but a two to four week ABT residency up
the street from his pad was more than he ever hoped for.  He feels so
blessed.  And last night, Shoeless Joe emerged from a corn field to visit Haglund in his dreams and urged
him not to stop wishing for Mayerling – "It too will come," he said.

If we wish for it, it will come.


16 responses to “New ABT Nutcracker by Ratmansky
at BAM beginning in 2010”

  1. Deborah Avatar
    Deborah

    I was at the Met gift shop yesterday, and I saw a DVD of ABT’s “The Nutcracker.” I wondered if ABT would ever perform this ballet again. I’m guessing they don’t want to compete with NYCB’s but the BAM solution is perfect! I can’t wait to see the wonderful David Hallberg as the Cavalier (and Gillian, Michelle and Paloma — I adore Paloma — as the SP fairy and Dewdrop). I hope they cast Hee Seo (love her!) in a major part. Oops… I’m getting carried away. BAM is wonderful; I’m lucky enough to be a member.
    I do hope that Shoeless Joe comes to you again in your dream to tell you that the Yanks will win the W.S in 2010. I’m getting a little nervous that the Sox are serious contenders for Halladay (boy am I going through baseball/Yank withdrawal!).

  2. Deborah Avatar
    Deborah

    I was at the Met gift shop yesterday, and I saw a DVD of ABT’s “The Nutcracker.” I wondered if ABT would ever perform this ballet again. I’m guessing they don’t want to compete with NYCB’s but the BAM solution is perfect! I can’t wait to see the wonderful David Hallberg as the Cavalier (and Gillian, Michelle and Paloma — I adore Paloma — as the SP fairy and Dewdrop). I hope they cast Hee Seo (love her!) in a major part. Oops… I’m getting carried away. BAM is wonderful; I’m lucky enough to be a member.
    I do hope that Shoeless Joe comes to you again in your dream to tell you that the Yanks will win the W.S in 2010. I’m getting a little nervous that the Sox are serious contenders for Halladay (boy am I going through baseball/Yank withdrawal!).

  3. jose Avatar
    jose

    I hope it will be a traditional(or semi-traditional)production and Mr R. will not be too modern in his concept.
    I get worried when they hire Broadway-based designers(remember the Sleeping Beauty fiasco).

  4. jose Avatar
    jose

    I hope it will be a traditional(or semi-traditional)production and Mr R. will not be too modern in his concept.
    I get worried when they hire Broadway-based designers(remember the Sleeping Beauty fiasco).

  5. Haglund Avatar
    Haglund

    Hi Deborah!
    Listen, Halladay WANTS to be a Yankee. Yesterday, it was rumor-reported all over the internet that he says he’s willing to waive the No Trade Clause in his contract in order to come to the Yankees. That’s exactly what Roger Clemens did to get here! Fingers crossed!!
    Haglund can’t wait until next December for ABT’s new Nutcracker. Two weeks of performances – with weekday matinees for school kids – could turn into 25 performances! Imagine the youngsters in the corps who will get an opportunity to shine in principal roles. This will be very exciting!

  6. Haglund Avatar
    Haglund

    Hi Deborah!
    Listen, Halladay WANTS to be a Yankee. Yesterday, it was rumor-reported all over the internet that he says he’s willing to waive the No Trade Clause in his contract in order to come to the Yankees. That’s exactly what Roger Clemens did to get here! Fingers crossed!!
    Haglund can’t wait until next December for ABT’s new Nutcracker. Two weeks of performances – with weekday matinees for school kids – could turn into 25 performances! Imagine the youngsters in the corps who will get an opportunity to shine in principal roles. This will be very exciting!

  7. Haglund Avatar
    Haglund

    Hi Jose. Happy Thanksgiving to you!
    Yeah, Haglund is a bit nervous about the Broadway-based designers waltzing into ballet and opera because the results are usually more disney-disappointing than pleasing. Let’s hope for a fearsome Rat King from Richard Hudson that doesn’t resemble Mickey Mouse.
    Haglund trusts Ratmansky with The Nutcracker. A-Rat has artistic common sense and knows what the ballet means to kids and to the child in all of us.
    – Haglund

  8. Haglund Avatar
    Haglund

    Hi Jose. Happy Thanksgiving to you!
    Yeah, Haglund is a bit nervous about the Broadway-based designers waltzing into ballet and opera because the results are usually more disney-disappointing than pleasing. Let’s hope for a fearsome Rat King from Richard Hudson that doesn’t resemble Mickey Mouse.
    Haglund trusts Ratmansky with The Nutcracker. A-Rat has artistic common sense and knows what the ballet means to kids and to the child in all of us.
    – Haglund

  9. Rebekah Diaddigo Avatar

    Ooh I can’t wait!

  10. Rebekah Diaddigo Avatar

    Ooh I can’t wait!

  11. Haglund's Heel Avatar
    Haglund’s Heel

    Hi Rebekah! The excitement about the new Nutcracker is building already. It definitely will be one of the highlights of the next holiday season.
    – Haglund

  12. Haglund's Heel Avatar
    Haglund’s Heel

    Hi Rebekah! The excitement about the new Nutcracker is building already. It definitely will be one of the highlights of the next holiday season.
    – Haglund

  13. Joe Avatar
    Joe

    What’s better than an ABT vs Mark Morris’ Hard Nut battle in Brooklyn, 2010?

  14. Joe Avatar
    Joe

    What’s better than an ABT vs Mark Morris’ Hard Nut battle in Brooklyn, 2010?

  15. Haglund's Heel Avatar
    Haglund’s Heel

    LOL! It would really just be one more battle over the gentrification of the neighborhood, wouldn’t it? Hope those Atlantic Yards protesters keep their distance.

  16. Haglund's Heel Avatar
    Haglund’s Heel

    LOL! It would really just be one more battle over the gentrification of the neighborhood, wouldn’t it? Hope those Atlantic Yards protesters keep their distance.